Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1976-05-17
Invested on: 1976-06-28
Lieutenant-Commander Alan Randall Welton, S.C.
Star of Courage
Captain Paul Malcolm Bow, M.B. (deceased)
Warrant Officer Douglas Murray Bullerwell, M.B., C.D.
Captain Robert Raymond Henderson, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
On 21 January 1975, after all other rescue operations had failed, LCdr (then Lieutenant) Alan Welton, Capt. Paul Bow, Capt. Robert Henderson and WO. (then Sergeant) Douglas Bullerwell, who were the crew on board a Sea King helicopter from HMCS Assiniboine, airlifted eight seamen whose freighter was sinking in heavy seas some two hundred miles off the coast of Nova Scotia. The rescue party under the command of Capt. Bow brought the aircraft to within twenty feet of the freighter, and while hovering in gale force winds lowered Lt. Welton on to the deck. On his descent the officer was blown against the ship's gunwales but persisted nonetheless in the wind and sleet. Once aboard the vessel he fitted a collar around the seamen and with the assistance of Sgt. Bullerwell, who stood at the helicopter cargo door, hoisted all the members of the crew individually before he himself was lifted to safety.